Elderberry, Hawthorne B. S. / Tomato Ferments

Hawthorn Berry Syrup

Hawthorn Berry syrup is made from the berry of the hawthorn tree. Hawthorn (crataegus oxycantha) is a deciduous tree native to Europe and widely grown in North America and western Asia. It is sometimes called “mayflower” because its beautiful white and pink flowers emerge at that time of year. Hawthorn’s use as an herbal medicine has been known for thousands of years in both the East and the West. Its use as a heart healing food has been recognized in North America for about 200 years and became widely popular in the USA at the turn of the 20th century before allopathic drugs came into vogue.

Today Hawthorn has a wide range of uses. According the University of Maryland Medical Center it helps protect us from heart disease, control high blood pressure, improve blood flow, and may be used externally to treat boils and skin sores. Hawthorn has also been shown to effective in treating high blood pressure (including people with type 2 diabetes) AND low blood pressure.

Herbalist Christopher Hobbs states that hawthorn has the unique ability to strengthen the pumping action of the heart without raising blood pressure. Hawthorn also steadies the heartbeat and increases the heart’s tolerance of oxygen deficiency as might occur during times of stress or if an artery is partially blocked. In these ways it helps protect against heart attack, one of the most common causes of death in the Western world. Dr. John Christopher, herbalist, claimed he healed patients from edema caused by heart failure and from heart valve leakage using hawthorn berry syrup. Many people have reported reducing or reversing angina. Studies have shown that hawthorn will increase endurance and exercise duration.

Hidden Pond Hawthorn Berry syrup is made from wildcrafted fresh berries. We simmer the berries in distilled water, strain out the mash and boil the remaining liquid until it has a brix count of at least 15 (about 25% of its original volume). We add vegetable glycerin and a small amount of organic grape alcohol to preserve it.. The result is concentrated, pleasant tasting syrup.

Hawthorn is considered more of a food than an herb. Hawthorn jams and jellies were popular at one time. As such it does not have a reputation of being interactive with most medications. However, check with your physician before taking hawthorn berry syrup. The recommended dose is ½ teaspoon three times per day.

The elderberry is one of nature’s most healing foods. Elderberries have been used for centuries around the world to lower cholesterol, improve heart health, improve vision and to fight colds, flu, tonsillitis and viral and bacterial infections. Hippocrates called elderberry his “medicine chest” because of its ability to deal with a wide spectrum of health conditions. Elderberries contain amino acids, carotenoids, rutin, vitamin A, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorous and a large amount of vitamin C (more than any other plant besides black currants and rose hips). They are uniquely high in anthocyanins (flavenoids that protect cells from damage).

*Abington Meadows Naturals Elderberry Syrup is produced using organic berries, raw honey, and organic ginger root. Take 1 – 3 teaspoons at the first sign of a cold or flu and repeat every 3 hours as needed. Abington Meadows Naturals is a sister company to Hidden Pond Farm.